The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Routine Monotony

For the next week, Eric, Joey, and I gain a pretty steady routine. Joey and I wake up early and go for our morning walk. When we get back, he makes breakfast, which is when Eric finally gets up and groggily joins us. A little afterwards, Mrs. Santiago arrives and we practice some "entry-level" magic, as she calls it.

To be honest, it's kinda fun. I now know how to create different colored sparks, flicker the lights on and off, make small breezes, and things like that. It's small, but it's easier than I thought it would be. Using magic is like reach into another portion of existence and pushing my energy into it, which causes the change within the real world. No mystic words, no fancy hand motions. Just me mentally reaching out, focusing on what I want to happen, and letting my energy do the rest. Mrs. Santiago always seems impressed, but what I most like is the tingling sensation I get through my whole body. Like static electricity, only lighter and more enjoyable. Every time we practice, though, there's always this strange sense if deja vu, like I've done this before. I know I haven't, but I can't shake it.

Of course, there's still the issue of my rejection. I don't know if I had hoped my Spirit Animal would see me trying to be a good witch and then just suddenly show themself to me or something like that, but so far, no progress has been made. Even though it's only been a week, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. And weak. Mrs. Santiago is happy with my work thus far, but I'm beginning to understand how important my Spirit Animal really is. It's like my Animal is a boiling pot, and my magic is the brew. Right now, the pot is overflowing because I haven't touched it or taken care of it. I just let it simmer for the past ten or so years. Because of this, I'm able to use that overflow in these exercises Mrs. Santiago gives me. However, I know this is only scratching the surface of my true abilities, and I long to be able to dip my hands into my cauldron and really feel like a true witch. Hehe, guess I'm even thinking like a witch now. Well, that's a small step, right?

Once we finish our magic sessions, I have lunch with the boys. At first, I was nervous about showing them what little progress I'm making, but after some insistence on their part, I came to realize they were actually impressed as well. Eric fell out of his seat when I turned the lights off, which made me laugh, but they always seem really happy with my growing abilities. I can't tell if they are actually excited for me, though, or just hoping my fast learning means my Spirit Animal will stop rejecting me soon. It's probably the later, but there's still a small part of me that wonders.

After lunch, the boys usually end up working on their computers. It's what they do while I'm practicing too, but there's always more to do. They are CEOs after all, and no matter how many times they say their Pack and company are fine without them, by the amount of phone calls and work they end up doing, I can easily see right through that fibbage. So I try to leave them alone and do other things. I watch some movies, read books they get me when they're out, bird watch, listen to music, and play with my new phone. As promised, Eric got me their company's newest model smartphone, with unlimited data and an advanced security system already installed. He even plugged in his and Joey's numbers, though I see no reason I'd ever have to call either of them. In the entire week, they've only left once or twice each, mostly for groceries. I may eat a lot, but werewolves are almost like vacuums. Gods, I wish I could look as good as they do while still eating as much! Stupid wolf genes!

When it starts getting late, Joey makes us all dinner, after which we usually either watch a movie or play video games. I found out Eric is a huge gamer, and his collection is as extensive as any billionaires would be. In other words, I don't think there's a game he doesn't own. Joey plays too, but not as much, from what I've seen of his abilities. I've learned while Eric is more of a shooting games kinda guy, Joey prefers the puzzle games like Portal. Luckily, having twin brothers allows me to be well-versed in working the controls, though it's obvious Eric's skills are far superior.

As for movie tastes, they seem to both enjoy a wide variety, from classics like The Breakfast Club to big hits like the Harry Potter series and newer releases like The Hunger Games and Divergent. They let me pick for a day or two, but I'm not super interested in movies. I can appreciate a good film from time to time, but usually I get bored and lose interest in the plot, if it's too complex or mainstream. So the boys began choosing together while I played on my phone.

This became a pattern for us, constantly cycling from one day to the next. It was nice at first, but as it became a regimen we stuck to, I can't help wanting more. Not from the relationship, of course, but rather from this life. And although I hated my old life, especially most of the people in it, I couldn't help but miss some of my favorite activities I used to do...

"Ali, if you keep pushing like that, you're going to melt that candle within the minute."

Mrs. Santiago's words force me back to the present, and I realize I'm still reaching out my energy towards the already-lit candle. The flame, on which, is currently more like a small fire.

"Oh, s**t, sorry!" I release my energy, and the flame dies down to a small flicker, where it remains.

My mentor is still smiling, but also shaking her head slightly. "I believe that's the third time I had to remind you to keep your focus during today's lesson alone."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Santiago." Giving my head a little shake, I look at the next candle in line and prepare to reach out once again.

However, Mrs. Santiago's hand pushes mine back down, stopping me. "Let's take a break, before you accidentally set the table on fire, and you can tell me what's on your mind?"

I sigh, but adhere to her suggestion. "I'm just...I don't know...I was just thinking about the past week..."

"The work you've done this week is quite excellent for a beginner witch, with or without her Spirit Animal."

"Thanks," I reply, "But that's not what I'm talking about." I explain to her how the week has gone, living with the two werewolves.

She listens patiently until I finish, then nods. "In other words, this is getting boring."

"I would've said mundane, but..." Close enough.

She smiles. "I could have Cassandra come tomorrow for your lesson, if you'd like?"

"Thanks, and I'd love to see her, but I don't think that'd solve my problem." I sigh. "I just wish I could grab some of my stuff. Maybe make this place feel a bit less like a prison, then? Like my flag and rifle. I could get some frustration out with them. Or even my laptop and tablet. With those two, I could continue doing some side work online, like before. I'm just anxious, not only about all of this," I gesture to the candles set up around my bed. "But also about what happens after I break this bond. Having missed a week's worth of work, there's no way I still have a job-"

"Not that you should work there afterwards anyway..." Mrs. Santiago adds, annoyed.

"And let's not even think about my living situation!"

She pauses as I say this, thinking about her next words, then asks tentatively, "You still haven't contacted him yet?"

"How can I? I'm watched almost 24/7, and I no longer have my old phone. Plus, even if I did call, what would I say? 'Hey Dad. Sorry I've been missing for over a week. I've been hiding out with the Alphas of the Dual Pack due to me f*****g s**t up as per usual, only this time I somehow managed to do it magically'?"

She opens her mouth, looking like she wants to add something, but deep down, she knows I'm right, and ends up closing it again. He'll want an explanation when I can't give one, and that will just infuriate him.

"Besides, if he hasn't contacted you guys yet, then he probably doesn't care. Maybe he's glad to be rid of me."

"Oh, honey, don't say that! I'm sure he has his reasons..."

What reason would justify a father not caring about his own daughter going missing for over a week? I shake my head, but I'm not really sad about it. It's just a fact of my life, and I'm used to this from him at this point...

"Oh, I know! Why don't you go see him?"

I lock eyes with this possibly-insane woman in front of me. "Are you crazy?! No disrespect, Mrs. Santiago, but I can give you two good reasons why I can't do that just behind this door alone!" I gesture my head towards the currently-latched door. Ever since we installed it, I always lock the latch in place during our sessions. I know that last time was an emergency, but my first session proved to me how well the boys will actually adhere to the "don't come in" rule.

Her brown eyes widen a little. "You haven't told them about your family?"

"Of course I haven't! Not specifically, anyway. They know about Mom, and they know I have a father and two brothers, but that's it. And I'd like it to stay that way!"

"But Ali-"

"I'm sorry, but no, Mrs. Santiago. They nearly made Dylan wet his pants when they thought there was something between us. Imagine what would happen if they found out what my family situation was like. I'd be lucky to have a family left, if this bond and their Alpha tempers had anything to say about it!" Not that that would be an issue for me, anyway...

We sit in silence for a long while. She's probably looking for another reason for me to go home, but I can't. Even if I were to just grab my stuff, it's too risky. Not only would there be a chance Dad would come home while I'm there, but almost certainly at least Eric or Joey, or possibly both, would demand to be with me if I went. I could maybe deal with my father, but if the three of them were to meet...

Finally, I reach out with my energy to extinguish the flames, confusing Mrs. Santiago. "Sorry for being so distracted, but thank you for coming. If Cassie can come over next time, that's probably all I need to switch up the monotony. But it's fine, if not. Either way, same time tomorrow?"

As I stand up and head to the door, I can hear her doing the same behind me. "Oh, yes. But if you want, sweetie, I ca-"

I open the door abruptly, almost slamming it, and I force a smile on. "It's fine, Mrs. Santiago. Thank you."

As I escort her to the front door, I can feel Eric and Joey watching us from the bar. Both have their laptops out, answering emails or reading spreadsheets most likely, but my not-so-subtle exit caused them to forget their work and instead lock their eyes onto me. But I ignore them, focusing on one issue at a time.

Once Mrs. Santiago is outside and I close the front door, Eric immediately asks, "What was that about?"

I sigh before turning around. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

Their about to share one of their signature glances when I clap my hands, forcing their perplexed attention back onto me. "So, what's for lunch?"